20 July 2022

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.

From Jeremiah 1:1,4-10, NRSV

Like others before him, the call of Jeremiah to the life of a prophet was unexpected and not altogether welcome. Jeremiah tried to get out of this responsibility by claiming that he was not a good enough speaker. The Lord dismissed this and told Jeremiah that he would be given the words to say. Jeremiah was indeed given the words to say and faithfully delivered them, even when this meant foretelling the disaster that was to come to the people. Jeremiah’s faithfulness to his calling meant that he was often badly treated. However, it was ultimately through Jeremiah that God was to tell the people that God was ready to forgive and restore his people.

• • Why do you think God insisted that Jeremiah carry out his calling?
  • Who are the unexpected prophets of our own times?

Pray for those called to the great work of prophecy – and especially those who do not feel ready or skilled for such a calling.